10-31-2007, 03:06 AM
I know this will work in Europe because they are already using compressed air vehicles, and appear to be doing so successfully. Now it's spreading to India.
The only problem I see is that you can't use a normal compressor; you need a high pressure system so using the corner coin operated tire inflator won't cut it. The onboard compressor is for when you run out of air and need that extra psi to get home. Using the rates here on the mainland, it would cost me $1.75 to fill the tank and that would get me 100 miles. A current gas/electric Hybrid getting 50 mpg at $3 a gallon would be $6. Humm $6 or $1.75 ???? It also appears they use the same regeneration process during breaking.
Unlike the EV1 with a limited range, the ZEPs with limited range and speeds, or any of the alternative fuels (CNG, LNG, Propane, etc) which are limited due to refueling locations, the MDI's does appear to be feasible and viable for the Big Island.
As for the tank bombs, that is a concern, but at least it's a known factor and they are nothing but a permanent mounted SCUBA tank. I looked at the rating of the CNG tank when filling up this morning and it's the same as what the AirCar will use, except CNG is flammable where compressed air won't.
But, in facing certain realities, we know how hard Americans can be when asking to downsize. These alternative cars are not the hulking vehicles Americans have been convinced by Detroit we must have.
The only problem I see is that you can't use a normal compressor; you need a high pressure system so using the corner coin operated tire inflator won't cut it. The onboard compressor is for when you run out of air and need that extra psi to get home. Using the rates here on the mainland, it would cost me $1.75 to fill the tank and that would get me 100 miles. A current gas/electric Hybrid getting 50 mpg at $3 a gallon would be $6. Humm $6 or $1.75 ???? It also appears they use the same regeneration process during breaking.
Unlike the EV1 with a limited range, the ZEPs with limited range and speeds, or any of the alternative fuels (CNG, LNG, Propane, etc) which are limited due to refueling locations, the MDI's does appear to be feasible and viable for the Big Island.
As for the tank bombs, that is a concern, but at least it's a known factor and they are nothing but a permanent mounted SCUBA tank. I looked at the rating of the CNG tank when filling up this morning and it's the same as what the AirCar will use, except CNG is flammable where compressed air won't.
But, in facing certain realities, we know how hard Americans can be when asking to downsize. These alternative cars are not the hulking vehicles Americans have been convinced by Detroit we must have.